We brew 6-8 cups regularly. There is a clear water line on the left side that is easy to read. It's pretty quick and beeps when it's ready. The first time I heard it I thought it was loud but after hearing it a few times, I've gotten used to it. When I'm in another room, I'm happy to know when the coffee is ready. It's not really that loud. I quite like the separate hot water feature. There is a max water line inside but there's no indication of how much water is in it. There is a light to tell you when water needs to be added though. I can make 2 cups of tea at the drop of a hat. The blue light is a nice touch. It's easy to keep clean. We haven't had any issues with this coffee maker or the hot water feature. I would recommend this Cuisinart to anyone.